In the YouTube video titled "Fazenda Capão Alto em Castro," the history of the colonial settlement of the Campos Gerais region in Paraná, Brazil, is explored through the story of the Fazenda Capão Alto. The farm, which dates back to the early distribution of lands in Brazil and was originally part of a sesmaria, was later sold to the Carmelita community, who established a production farm and created a more densely populated community. During this period, the Caminho dos Tropas, or military road, was established, bringing cattle from the south and starting the settlement of the region. The Carmelitas, who operated during the 18th century, were the economic force behind the farm, regulating civil records and agricultural production. They also provided food to convents and served the troops.
The farmhouse on the property, built in the 1860s, is a cultural space today and a typical architecture from the 16th century. It was built using the taipa de pilão technique and has an upper floor with the Baroness and Baron's bedroom and an extraordinary view. Nearby structures include the house of the overseer, the cheese factory, the aviary, and the stables. The farm's location along the tropeiro trail, a major transportation route between the Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo, contributed to the development of the region.
Efforts have been made to preserve historical elements on the farm, including the covering created to protect a 200-year-old Araucária tree. The speaker, Marcelo, encourages a visit to Fazenda Capão Alto to experience the colonial era ambiance and feel the vibration it offers. The farm, which is over 300 years old, has a rich history that includes the establishment of the city of Castro.
00:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Fazenda Capão Alto em Castro," the history of the colonial settlement of the Campos Gerais region in Paraná, Brazil, is explored through the story of the Fazenda Capão Alto. The farm, which is located in Castro and dates back to the early distribution of lands in Brazil, was originally part of a sesmaria, or land grant, given to a donatário named Pedro Tavares. The land was later sold to the Carmelita community, a corporate entity of the Church that established a production farm and created a more densely populated community with slaves and passing travelers. During this period, the Caminho dos Tropas, or military road, was established, bringing cattle from the south and starting the settlement of the region. The Casarão, or mansion, on the property is a cultural space today, having been incorporated as such since the 1988 constitution. The Carmelitas, who operated during the 18th century, were the economic force behind the farm, regulating civil records and agricultural production. They also provided food to convents in São Paulo, Santos, and Itu and served the troops. The Carmelita period also marked the beginning of the tropicália movement, as Brazil expanded into the interior and farms, settlements, and charras became more common. After the Carmelitas sold the property to Bonifácio José Atista, it became the Barão de Castro's estate.
00:05:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Fazenda Capão Alto em Castro," the speaker discusses the history of the Capão Alto farmhouse, which was built in the 1860s by Monte Carmelo, a nobleman from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro coffee regions. He brought a new social rhythm to the region and created a social hub, with people coming from the city to participate in the festivities. The farmhouse passed through various owners until the 1970s, producing cattle, cheese, and some agriculture. During this time, the region faced a severe problem of erosion due to outdated farming techniques. In response, the farm and the neighboring Cipó farm became experimental farms, leading to advancements in direct planting, pallet production, and genetic improvement of cattle. In the 1970s and 1979, the cooperative Central de Laticínios do Chocomilk was established, and after ten years, it created the ABC Foundation, a significant agricultural and technological foundation that made Brazilian agroindustry competitive on a global scale. The farmhouse, which was built using the taipa de pilão technique, is a typical architecture from the 16th century, and its interior walls have various drawings made with molds. The piso hidráulico on the veranda came from Portugal, and the railing from England. The farmhouse also has an upper floor with the Baroness and Baron's bedroom and an extraordinary view. Additionally, there is a chapel annexed to the house, which demonstrates the religiousness of the era, and it is still visited by devotees who pay homage to Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Fazenda Capão Alto em Castro," the speaker discusses the historical significance of the farm's kitchen and surrounding buildings. The kitchen, located a short distance from the main house, was convenient for the lords who could enjoy natural light and a peaceful environment while the servants prepared meals. Nearby structures included the house of the overseer, the cheese factory, the aviary, and the stables. The farm's location along the tropeiro trail, a major transportation route between the Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo, contributed to the development of the region. The speaker, Marcelo, is an expert on the topic and has published internationally recognized work on the preservation and maintenance of these historical paths. The farm, which is over 300 years old, has a rich history that includes the establishment of the city of Castro. The Carmelitas, seeking to avoid constant interactions with tropeiros, built a new chapel in a different area, which became a new stop for troops and eventually led to the formation of a new settlement that grew into the city of Castro.
00:15:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Fazenda Capão Alto em Castro," the speaker highlights the efforts made to preserve historical elements on the farm, not just the buildings. One such example is the covering created to protect a 200-year-old Araucária tree with nearly 50 meters of height. The tree, which had fallen and was covered to showcase its beauty and thank nature for it, received applause from the audience. The speaker encourages a visit to Fazenda Capão Alto to experience the colonial era ambiance and feel the vibration it offers.